The contact owns a 2006 Audi A3. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, he heard an abnormal rattling sound coming from the passenger’s side of the dashboard where the air bag was located. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and was informed that parts were not available for repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V082000 (Air Bags); for the driver's side air bag, but the passenger’s side air bag was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
The worst 2006 Audi A3 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags56
- Transmission37
- Fuel system10
- Lights10
- Engine7
- Electrical6
- Suspension4
- Acceleration2
- Driver assistance1
- Locks1
- Seat belts1
- Steering1
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Audi A3
Headlights 10Fuel pump 9Jerking 8Loss of power 8Harsh shifting 6Hesitation 5Stalling 5
Recalls 4
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V‑078.
Recall number 18V082000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2006 Volkswagen Passat sedans and wagons, 2005-2013 Audi A3, and 2006-2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1‑800‑893‑5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1‑800‑253‑2834.
Recall number 16V079000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2010 audi a3, tt, and tt roadster passenger vehicles manufactured between september 29, 2005 and august 26, 2009. The closing force of an internal spring of the fuel tank ventilation valve is not adequate enough to hold the valve closed under extreme driving conditions possibly allowing fuel to leak.
- Risk
- In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire could occur.
- Remedy
- Volkswagen will notify owners and audi dealers will replace the fuel tank ventilation valve with an improved valve free of charge. The safety recall began on november 16, 2009. Owners may contact audi at 1‑800‑253‑2834.
Recall number 09V377000 · Recall details
Air bags: side/window
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, during production of the air bag, either the left or the right side curtain air bag inflation module may leak.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the air bag may not inflate as designed increasing the risk of injury to a seat occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the side curtain air bag free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners may contact audi at 1‑800‑822‑2834.
Recall number 06V293000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Audi A3 349
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- This bulletin provides information pertaining to when there are foreign objects inside of a headlight or...
- This bulletin provides information on the additional reporting requirements for safety related inquiries.
- Inside the Rings | Volume 12, Spring 2023
- In conjunction with the New Mexico DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to...
- In conjunction with the Massachusetts DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to...
- In conjunction with the Colorado DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to...
- Takata recall and 3G turndown
- In conjunction with the New York DMV, Audi will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to...
- In conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Audi is sending Takata airbag recall...
2006 Audi A3 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21-22 | 29 | 24-25 |
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 18 | 25 | 21 |
What 2006 Audi A3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I totaled my car about two weeks ago. And none of my passenger side airbags deployed ( front , front side, nor rear passenger side)
I totaled my car about two weeks ago, and none of my passenger side airbags deployed. (Front passenger, front side, or Rear passenger side)
Owner of audi a3 2006 2.0tfsi. Recently got the problem with the engine check light. Engine check light indicates that something is wrong with the fuel system leak. The car was originally created for us, but its now active in europe. Already seen some car repair centers, but none could fix the engine check problem. Today, I read information from official audi sites. "fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly recall' engine check light showed up when I was driving highway, first, computer told me to close fuel cap, which was fully closed, after fuel cap logo went away, engine check light started to blinking and the motor started to shake badly and I needed to do emergency stop. I think its not safe to drive around when engine check light still shows up.
Replaced airbags by audi in latham, new york and charged over $176 for diagnostic for bad airbags and warning lights for airbags. Bad airbargs installed during recall. Audi never replaced the bad airbags. Very bad.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 audi a3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number 18v082000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (unknown dealer information) was contacted and stated the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of this issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Replaced airbags by audi are off and defective. Dealer requires hundreds of dollars to inspect bad airbag changed by recall of airbags. Airbag off warning light from replaced airbag changed by dealer. Incredible, replaced recalled airbags to have bad airbags installed and be charged hundreds of dollars by audi dealer in latham new york.
Takata recall I have been calling the audi dealer for over 4 months about this air bag. They keep telling me that they are waiting for parts from takata, nothing much else that they can do. I need to know that if something were to happen that I can depend on the air bag in my car to help keep me safe, at this point I am very worried.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 audi a3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v079000 (air bags). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair as the recall notice was received over a year ago. The dealer (audi farmington hills, 37911 grand river ave, farmington hills, mi 48335, (248) 471-0800) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was contacted several times and was unable to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 audi a3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v082000 (air bags); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called audi service portland dealer ((877) 868-3792, 14811 ne airport way, portland, or 97230) and was informed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and did not offer any assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Compare the 2006 Audi A3
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Questions about the 2006 Audi A3
Is the 2006 Audi A3 reliable?
Owners have filed 123 complaints about the 2006 Audi A3, 2.9 times a typical A3 model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2006 Audi A3 year score?
The 2006 Audi A3 scores 35 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Audi A3: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Audi A3?
Airbags, with 56 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles. Next is transmission (37).
How many recalls does the 2006 Audi A3 have?
4 recalls, covering air bags and fuel system, gasoline.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Audi A3 get?
Official estimates for the 2006 Audi A3 range from 21 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-22 city and 29 highway.
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